This tour is a great introduction to Chile’s capital and will show you Santiago’s historic downtown and beyond. You will be picked up by one of our expert guides in a private vehicle and explore the downtown area as well as Santiago’s diverse neighborhoods.
We start by visiting Sky Costanera, the unmissable starting point to get to know Santiago. You will take a high-speed elevator to the 61st and 62nd floors of the Gran Torre Costanera Building and experience the panoramic 360 degree views at 900 feet (300 meters) high in the tallest building in South America and second tallest in the Southern Hemisphere. You will observe the modern architecture of the capital, the Central Valley where the city is located, and the majestic Andes Mountains.
Afterwards, we will visit Bluestone, where you will be welcomed with a sampling of Chile’s national drink, the pisco sour. Here you can browse jewelry and crafts made from Chile’s national stone, lapis lazuli, prized since antiquity for its intense blue color and found primarily only in Afghanistan and Chile. Here you will also find items made from Chile’s national mineral, copper.
Then, we will drive through the colorful neighborhood of Bellavista before arriving in the historic city center where you will pass by Florestal Park, the Museum of Fine Arts, Plaza de Armas (Santiago’s main square), the Cathedral, City Hall, Historic Post Office, Old Congress Building, La Moneda Presidential Palace, National Theater, and Santa Lucia Hill. Originally named Cerro Huelén by the Mapuche Indians, Santa Lucia Hill is where Pedro de Valdivia founded the city in 1541. We will also pass through the vibrant bohemian neighborhood of Lastarria before leaving the downtown area.
We will then drive to the eastern side of the city to the Las Condes neighborhood, the financial heart of Santiago, known for its modern buildings and impressive glass skyscrapers. You will see why this area is known as “Sanhattan” – Santiago’s Manhattan – among the locals.
We will stop at the upscale Alonso de Cordoba District in the Vitacura neighborhood and visit KUNA, where you will discover the highest quality alpaca and vicuña garments. Vicuña wool is considered the softest, finest, and most luxurious natural fiber in the world, often referred to as the “Gold of the Andes.” Chile is home to all four of the South American camelids: llamas, alpacas, guanacos and vicuñas.
Finally, we will stop at Bicentennial Park for lunch, if desired, at Mestizo Restaurant before returning to your hotel. With a long history in Santiago, Mestizo offers excellent Chilean fusion cuisine showcasing local products and highlighting the flavor of its top-quality ingredients. Mestizo is distinguished as being one of the “The World’s 50 Best Restaurants.”